clearance for the option
I have flown at Ormond (not with OBA) and cleared for the option is not usually used, its either 'cleared to land' or 'clear touch and go'. The pilot in question probably just read back 'clear to land' but went and did a touch and go anyway.
As far as trees at the end of the runway are concerned, yes they are there and they could pose a problem if you got sink after retracting the flaps. I think the accident in which a plane crashed on the golf course a few years ago was caused by this and actually I think this was with an instructor as well...the runways are 17/35 3700ft and 8/26 4000ft.